The Best Christmas Breaks in Europe
THE BEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN EUROPE
Step into the magic of the season with a Christmas market holiday in Europe. Picture twinkling lights reflecting off cobblestone streets, the scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts filling the air, and charming market stalls brimming with handcrafted treasures. From Amsterdam’s canals and Bruges’ chocolates to Rouen’s history and Valkenburg’s underground markets, every getaway is filled with wonder. With DFDS, the journey is as magical as the destination – plus flexible cancellation for peace of mind.
Discover enchanting Europe with DFDS’ Christmas break packages!
Romantic christmas markets
Traditional street food
Beer tents
Activities & traditions
Save when booking ferry + hotel together
**Free cancellation until 48 hours before your outbound departure
Package financially protected with ABTOT
Duty free savings on board
Christmas market dates:
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Ice Village / Christmas Village at Museumplein
11 December - 26 December 2025
Bruges, Belgium
Bruges Christmas Market & Winter Glow
21 November 2025 - 4 January 2026
Brussels, Belgium
Winter Wonders / Wintermarkt (“Plaisirs d’Hiver”)
28 November 2025 - 4 January 2026
Rouen, France
Rouen Givrée / Rouen Christmas Market
21 November 2025 - 4 January 2026
Valkenburg, Netherlands
Christmas Village & Municipal Cave Market
14 November 2025 - 4 January 2026
Maastricht, Netherlands
Magical Maastricht Vrijthof
29 November 2025 - 30 December 2025
Together, we make your Christmas Break truly worry-free
Embark on a festive escape with DFDS and unwrap the magic of the season. This year, our Christmas Breaks include Flexible Cancellation option, so you can book with confidence knowing plans can change.
**Here’s how it works:
• Exclusive to DFDS Christmas Breaks only
• Applies to standard hotel rooms (deluxe & superior excluded)
• Cancel by phone up to 48h before departure
• Written cancellations accepted up to 3 business days before departure
Wherever you travel this Christmas, we’ve got you covered – book today and let the magic begin!
*From price is based on a return trip with an inside cabin for 2 persons incl. a room for 1 night in the following hotel: Ibis Amsterdam Centre Stopera
Our offers
Onboard Experience
Restaurants Onboard
Duty Free at DFDS
Shop Duty Free onboard our ferries from the UK and save up to 50% vs UK high street.
With huge savings on premium perfumes, cosmetics and alcohol and generous allowances you can stock up on great deals.
For bulk buys our Calais and Dunkerque Duty Free Shops at our ports are ideal with parking right outside. You can even browse Duty Free from the comfort of your own home with our Reserve & Collect service. Simply select your chosen products then collect and pay at our shoreside shops.
All DFDS European Ferry Crossings
DFDS - the World’s Leading Ferry Operator - offers multiple ferry routes from popular European ports in Europe to the UK, as well as routes in Scandinavia and across the Baltic Sea.
Book now and travel with DFDS.
Proudly named the World’s Leading Ferry Operator
We are also proud to announce that we have been nominated as Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator 2025 and this amazing journey continues, first and foremost, thanks to you.
To our loyal passengers who put their trust in us, our valued partners and our hard-working colleagues: this nomination is also yours. You are the heart of DFDS and today, we’d like to say THANK YOU.
Let's continue to create beautiful memories and cross the finish line together.